2009 Chevrolet Malibu Driver assistance Problems

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, it lost power steering functionality. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle, and the power steering functionality returned. The failure reoccurred every mile while driving, requiring the driver to pull over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The power steering, ESC, and the traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated who was a retired independent mechanic, determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11716945

Incident

Feb 3, 2026

Mileage

107,000 mi

Had a recall repaired yet it still randomly my brake lamps still don’t function correctly

NHTSA ID

11628018

Incident

Nov 9, 2024

I've been trying to fix the car I've put alternator new starter wires everything you can think of new fuses and the esc light burnt out 2 brand new battery's I've lost my job because it's unfixable almost killed after the power steering went out because of what's going on with this problem I can't fix it I've spent over 1000 trying to find the problem.

NHTSA ID

11627060

Incident

Nov 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, and the lights became inoperable. When the brake pedal was released, the lights returned to normal functionality. The contact also stated that the cruise control failed to engage as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The contact stated that the failure recurred after the repair. The dealer informed the contact the recall repair was a one-time free repair. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11606468

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Mileage

85,000 mi

My car is having issues driving over 60miles per hr, I have to keep pressing the gas to get the car to move, the car battery is dead and won’t turn on, I got the car repaired twice and the second time I got it repaired, it just was even worse then before . The car smells like gas , the salesman only told me that I needed a value cover gasket and he had someone repair it , but when I went to auto zone , it was still cracked, I have a oil leak and my car eats up gas.

NHTSA ID

11545541

Incident

Sep 19, 2023

As I'm driving down the road my vehicle will engage the brake without warning while I'm in a curve or turning and it's extremely dangerous. I had a 18 wheeler behind me and my car came to an abrupt stop without warning as I was getting onto the interstate

NHTSA ID

11514340

Incident

Mar 26, 2023

When I am going down the road the vehicle comes to a complete stop in a curve sometimes and it's dangerous. Only the bright lights work on the vehicle. The esc activates and turns off a lot when you least expect it

NHTSA ID

11512096

Incident

Mar 15, 2023

Bought a 2009 Malibu (2.4 engine with electric power steering) a few weeks ago. Pulled into my driveway today and the power steering goes out and the traction control light comes on and service ESC message comes across the message center. Turn the car off and back on and the light goes out, power steering comes back for a second then the light trips again and it's out again as soon as I turn the wheel. It’s absolutely insane and I can’t even drive it half the time. I’m a nurse and a mother of two. This is the same recall in many of the same year and vehicle type, and we have snow. Severe snow. It can kill me. The ESC LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL ABS POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE LOGHT ARE ALL ON BECAUSE OF THIS DEATHTRAP OF AN electronic steering system you have

NHTSA ID

11498605

Incident

Dec 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control). The contact stated that after the repair, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where the starter and PCV hose were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11492633

Incident

Mar 22, 2017

Mileage

104,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that in 2017 the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting, Vehicle Speed Control, Electronic Stability Control) however, the brake lights would illuminate randomly without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the brake lights would fail to illuminate whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The failure recurred at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who added di-electric grease to the harness, replaced the brake harness, replaced the position sensor, and inspected the brake light. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer approximately 7 times since the recall repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11490852

Incident

Mar 22, 2017

Mileage

104,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 40 MPH and the warning messages; “Service ESC” and “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The contact continued to drive the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and the accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who replaced the computer software; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic advised the contact to purchase the throttle body from the dealer and have it replaced by an independent mechanic. The contact purchased the part from an unknown dealer and it was replaced by an independent mechanic; however, the failure persisted with the Traction Control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,224.

NHTSA ID

11456935

Incident

Mar 16, 2021

Mileage

153,224 mi

As I drive on highway and go a certain speed it slows down and engine power reduced and service traction pops up on my dashboard if cut it off it will not crank back up until I let the car cool down

NHTSA ID

11435159

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Electrical system, electronic stability control, exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control

NHTSA ID

11434246

Incident

May 22, 2021

Occassionally and unpredictably, the service ESC, power steering, traction control and anti theft light come on and the car goes on limp mode, unable to shift past first gear. Also power locks do not work (all four doors) and tire pressure sensor is on and service tire sensor pressure light is on all the time. Took car to an independant mechanic who stated that when using his diagnostic tool, no code or fault indicated for ESC, power steering, traction control or anti theft device. It should be noted that these reset themselves when car is turned off and then go back on unpredictably, once you start driving the car. This mechanic then tried fixing the powerlocks, and stated that after replacing two of the powerlocks, he realized that they still did not work. This mechanic contacted GM and was told that the issue with the powerlocks came from the the body control module, which aparently was causing the powerlocks to fail and was also the cause of the tire pressure sensors being on all the time, since the body control module controlled the powerlocks and the tire pressure sensors. He also stated that the Chevy dealer was the only ones who could change the body control module, since they were the only ones who reprogram the new module to the car. This mechanic also stated that all four tires pressure sensors were working. I took the car to a Chevy dealer with same problem. The dealer claimed that gasoline which contained a high level of ethanol was causing the ESC, traction control and limp mode problem. They suggested for me to run the gas out and fill the car up three times with regular gasoline (87 octane) and that this would resolve this issue. They claimed that the tire pressure sensors on two of the tire were not reading properly and needed to be replaced and that the power lock switch was the root of the powerlocks not working, since two of them (the ones that were not replaced by the first mechanic) were not working. Problem with ESC wasnt resolved

NHTSA ID

11432061

Incident

Aug 23, 2021

MY STEERING WHEEL AGGRESSIVELY SHAKES WHEN I'M IN PARK, AT SLOW SPEEDS AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE 'ESC OFF' DISPLAYS ON THE DASH AND I LOSE POWER STEERING. THIS USE TO HAPPEN RARELY, BUT NOW IT IS ALMOST EVERY TIME I START MY VEHICLE. EVEN WHEN I'M ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THIS WARNING DISPLAYING, IT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED DUE TO THE SHAKING. THIS STARTED 3 YEARS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE.

NHTSA ID

11405279

Incident

Sep 2, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

I AM HAVING ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH RECALL NUMBER 14V252000, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF MY VEHICLE WAS EVER RECALLED AND/OR REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11390760

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

35,000 mi

CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING PROBLEMS ELECTRICAL

NHTSA ID

11386635

Incident

Sep 3, 2020

Mileage

137,000 mi

POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH EPS SERVICE WARNING. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A WARNING THAT STATES SERVICE ESC. WHEN I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN BACK ON SYSTEMS MAY RETURN BUT EVENTUALLY FAIL WITH SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ESC. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY INTERMITTENTLY AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED.

NHTSA ID

11377170

Incident

Nov 29, 2020

Mileage

174,915 mi

I'VE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE REGISTERING WHICH GEAR IT IS IN. THE GEARS SHIFT HARD, AND WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE VIGOROUSLY JERKS BACK AND FORTH. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD, IT SLOWED DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND WHEN IT FINALLY DID, IT JUST TAKES OFF WITH NO WARNING. WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE ON PARK, AT TIMES IT WOULD STILL ROLL.. THERE IS ALSO THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS THAT ARE BOTH ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE STEERING STIFFENING IN THE VEHICLE IS AN ISSUE ONLY SOMETIMES. HOWEVER, IT STILL WORRIES ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD WITH MY TODDLER IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL. I DID RESEARCH RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN EACH AREA I'M HAVING TROUBLE IN. HOWEVER, WHEN I SPOKE WITH A CHEVROLET ASSOCIATE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. I WON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL IT'S SAFE AND I'M AFRAID OF AN ACCIDENT TAKING PLACE.

NHTSA ID

11372618

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING. DASHBOARD WILL SAY "TRACTION OFF, ESC OFF" AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN BUSY INTERSECTIONS. I HAVE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IN ORDER TO GAIN POWER STEERING AGAIN. MECHANIC HAS DIAGNOSED IT AS TORQUE SENSOR/STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS RECALLED ON MANY OTHER MALIBUS, BUT NOT MINE. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT WEREN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED VEHICLE SEVEN YEARS AGO AT 80,000 MILES (ABOUT ONCE PER YEAR) AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE RECENTLY AT 170,000 MILES (MULTIPLE TIMES PER MONTH). THIS IS DANGEROUS AND VERY EXPENSIVE.*DT *TR

NHTSA ID

11366516

Incident

Oct 20, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMP OR TURNING THE FRONT END SHAKES AND MAKES A CLACKING NOISE. ESC IS OFF. TRACTION CONTROL IS ALWAYS OFF. ERROR CODES READ P0010 P0449 P0013 P0722 P0011

NHTSA ID

11366176

Incident

Sep 5, 2020

Mileage

188,000 mi

DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A STRAIGHT AWAY, CAR LOST POWER STEERING AND SENSOR LIGHT SERVICE ESC/POWER STEERING STARTED FLASHING. THE STEERING FELT NO DIFFERENT PRIOR TO LOSING, NO NOISES. DROVE IT THIS WAY UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY. CAR SAT FOR 4 HOURS, TURNED IT BACK ON AND HAD REGAINED ALL STEERING AND NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT FOR ABOUT THE PAST 4 YEARS, DURING THE COLDER MONTHS, THE SERVICE ESC/SERVICE TRACTION NOTIFICATION WILL RANDOMLY POP ON FOR NO OTHER REASON THEN THE COLD AND I LOSE TIRE TRACTION. PRETTY POSITIVE THIS IS WHAT CAUSED ME TO SLIDE OFF THE ROAD 2 YEARS AGO. WHENEVER I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS, THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BECAUSE THE LIGHT POPS OFF AS QUICK AS IT COMES ON. I HAVE ALSO SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT AND LOOKED UP A RECALL FOR THIS, AND WHEN MY VIN IS ENTERED IT SHOWS THAT IT IS NOT NEEDED. I FOUND THE RECALL FROM 2014 FOR THE POWER STEERING ISSUE, SO EITHER THE PRIOR OWNER HAD IT FIXED AND IT DIDN'T LAST, OR IT WAS NEVER DONE TO BEGIN WITH BECAUSE SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG HERE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR ISSUE AND THE FIRST TIME I HAVE LOST MY STEERING. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 7 YEARS, STAYING ON TOP OF ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AND THEN SOME. GM NEEDS TO GET A FIX FOR THIS!!!

NHTSA ID

11364504

Incident

Oct 15, 2020

Mileage

175,000 mi

OUR 2009 MALIBU JUST TURNED 67,000 MILES TODAY AND THE ECM STARTED FLASHING SERVICE STEERING AND NO TRACTION CONTROL ON A TWO-HOUR DRIVE HOME. AFTER LIMPING HOME BY PHYSICALLY MAN-HANDLING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A TURN, WE MADE IT HOME. SEARCHED ON-LINE FOR POSSIBLE ISSUES AND FOUND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER 2009 MALIBU OWNERS FACING THE SAME IDENTICAL ISSUE. CHECKED THE GM WEBSITE FOR ANY POSSIBLE RECALLS AND NONE WERE FOUND. THE SAME WAS TRUE WHEN CONTACTING A LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT, WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN IF NOT FIXED. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11364175

Incident

Oct 13, 2020

Mileage

67,050 mi

I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY MALIBU AND IT'S VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE A 4 CYLINDER CAR WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AND IT WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL. YET IT'S HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALL CARS. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR PUSHED OUT OF A DITCH YESTERDAY BECAUSE IT'S SO HARD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON, AND PRESSING THE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. I SOMETIMES DON'T HAVE CONTROL TO UNLOCK MY DOOR AND HAVE TO CALL SOMEONE TO PHYSICALLY OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, ALSO MY BATTERY LIGHT. AND THEY ARE ALL GOOD AND UP TO DATE. MY TRACTION AND SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON TOO. AND MY HEAD LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY DRAINED AND GOING OUT. IT'S HARD TO FIND REASONABLE PRICE'S FROM AUTO SHOPS, AND THE DEALERSHIP PRICES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO TURN AND WORK MY CAR BECAUSE OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT'S OUT. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. I'M GOING TO UPLOAD A PICTURE OF MY CAR AFTER IT WAS PUSHED OUT THE DITCH. BUT MY STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN HARD TO TURN AND I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE JANUARY OF 2020. AND IT MAKES A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ID

11362633

Incident

Oct 3, 2020

Mileage

246,672 mi

POWER STEERING FAILS OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER BUT HAS GROWN TO HAPPEN IN WARMER WEATHER AS WELL. GETTING WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 3 YEARS. HAPPENS BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL BUT NOT ALWAYS. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH OLDER MODEL MALIBUS AND OTHER GM VEHICLES BUT NOT THIS MODEL EVEN THOUGH OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11360239

Incident

Sep 29, 2018

Mileage

180,000 mi